Low nutrient system with algae outbreak

[leebell]

Hello, I have a water box marine x 110.4, it’s been up and running for almost 6 months now.
My parameters are
Alkalinity :8.3
Magnesium 1320
Calcium : 440
Nitrate: 0
Phosphates 0

There has been a decent amount of brown algae blooming on my sand bed and on my rockwork.
I have a Refugium that I was running 24/7 until I realized how little nutrients were available in my tank. I have since shut it down till I see nutrients start to rise.
Usually it seems that a refugium should stop an algae out break but that seems to not be what happened.
Has anyone else had a brown hair like algae outbreak and if so what are some tips on beating it ?

 

[Subsea]

Without any other details,, I suggest you feed more to increase your nitrate & phosphate,

Better describe your setup including CUC and your maintenance. A picture with white light would help.

 

[Dan_P]

Usually it seems that a refugium should stop an algae out break but that seems to not be what happened.

Might be a refugium myth.

Nitrate depleted systems typically move from growing green stuff to growing golden to brown stuff. Typically, you will receive advice to increase the nitrogen level in the system to grow green stuff rather thsn brown stuff. You will still have an algae problem but it might be more appetizing to herbivores.

 

[Mr. Mojo Rising]

Pictures in white light help a lot......

 

[Subsea]

Hello, I have a water box marine x 110.4, it’s been up and running for almost 6 months now.
My parameters are
Alkalinity :8.3
Magnesium 1320
Calcium : 440
Nitrate: 0
Phosphates 0

There has been a decent amount of brown algae blooming on my sand bed and on my rockwork.
I have a Refugium that I was running 24/7 until I realized how little nutrients were available in my tank. I have since shut it down till I see nutrients start to rise.
Usually it seems that a refugium should stop an algae out break but that seems to not be what happened.
Has anyone else had a brown hair like algae outbreak and if so what are some tips on beating it ?

@leebell
I don’t find refugiums to be good exporters of nutrients. I use them as a refuge from predators and as a source of live food for display tank.

Consider testing for DOC (Dissolved Organic Carbon).

“The most straightforward way to monitor the organic carbon in one’s system is to send in a Triton N-DOC test. They are the only company on the market that offers this service. Due to everything discussed in this article, monitoring DOC may be the most critical value to chase above pH and traces“

“https://reefbuilders.com/2024/06/21...y-reef-tank-heres-a-new-method-to-manage-it/“

“In layman’s terms, whenever water on a reef becomes polluted with DOC, a small amount of “sleeper cell” bacteria that typically perform beneficial tasks for the coral become activated like a Manchurian candidate and begin to wreak havoc on the corals, leading to the development of disease. i.e., dirty water = dirty bacteria.“